Tracie Cone has always been a trailblazer. This award-winning journalist is the former California Newspaper Executive of the Year. She shares a Pulitzer Prize with fellow staff members at the Miami Herald for coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew and has twice been nominated individually. She has focused her writing on helping the underdog and empowering those without a strong voice of their own. Now she takes us on the fight of her life.

I had a long night trying to regulate my pain meds but today is better. I’m off the IV diladid and on oral percocet. Michelle just helped me put on my own jammies. I got out of bed for the first tine and shuffled down the hall. With each step the pain subsided a little bit. I just couldn’t go very far because of the lightheadedness.
They have me bound with an elastic corset. Underneath are the bandages. The corset helps ease pain too. I also have four drains.
This is what writing on percocet looks like.
Love to all of you. Thanks for the emails and posts.

You are such an amazing woman, Tracie Cone! I know you felt good about being able to get up and move around a bit today. You are a great writer even through the fog of drugs. Yesterday I went back and read your blog and all of the comments from start to finish and it just reinforced what I’ve always know about you; you are smart, funny, honest, strong, brave, courageous, bold, inquisitive, and so creative. You have blessed us all with the honest, witty, and insightful writing on this blog. You are a blessing to those that have known you for a long time or are just making you acquaintance via this blog. Keep fighting my friend. You are ever in my thoughts and prayers.
Elaine Hoover